Guides / Identity theft

How to dispute a fraudulent account opened in your name

If someone used your information to open an account or run up charges, act quickly. A report at IdentityTheft.gov plus written disputes to the company and the credit bureaus is the standard path to getting fraudulent debts removed.

1. Report it at IdentityTheft.gov

Go to IdentityTheft.gov, the Federal Trade Commission’s official site. It creates an Identity Theft Report and a personalized recovery plan. Print or save the report; you will send copies with your letters. You can also file a police report, which some companies ask for.

2. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze

Contact one of the three credit bureaus to place a free fraud alert; that bureau must tell the other two. A credit freeze stops most new accounts from being opened. See the CFPB’s fraud alert explainer.

3. Write to the company with the fraudulent account

Send a letter to the fraud department saying the account or charges are not yours, enclose your Identity Theft Report, and ask them to close the account, remove the debt, stop reporting it, and confirm in writing. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, identity theft victims can also request copies of the application and transaction records.

4. Dispute it with the credit bureaus

Ask each bureau that shows the fraudulent account to block it. With an identity theft report and proof of identity, the FCRA generally requires a bureau to block information that resulted from identity theft (15 U.S.C. § 1681c-2). Check your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.

5. Follow up and keep records

Track every call and letter. If a company or bureau will not fix it, submit a complaint to the CFPB. The CFPB’s identity theft guide lists more steps.

What your letter should include

• Your name, address, and contact information
• The account number or charges you are disputing
• A clear statement that you did not open or authorize them
• Your IdentityTheft.gov report number (and police report, if any)
• A request to close the account, remove the debt, and stop reporting it
• A request for copies of the application and transaction records

Keep a copy of everything you send, and note the date you sent it.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay a debt someone else ran up in my name?

Generally no, once you show it resulted from identity theft. Send the company your Identity Theft Report and a written dispute, and keep records.

Is a fraud alert the same as a credit freeze?

No. A fraud alert asks lenders to verify your identity before opening credit. A freeze blocks access to your credit report for most new accounts until you lift it. Both are free.

What if a debt collector contacts me about the fraudulent account?

Tell the collector in writing that the debt resulted from identity theft and ask it to validate the debt. See our debt validation guide.